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Case: Mr. A v. Dr. M., Dr. P and Hospital ABC.

The deceased Mr. X was suffering from cancer in an advanced stage and was not admitted by
any hospital because his being a case of cancer at terminal stage. He was only required to be kept
at home and given proper nursing, food, care and solace coupled with prayers. But his son Mr. A,
the complainant is a very influential person occupying an important designation under the Govt.
of India. He requested ABC Hospital that come what may, even on compassionate grounds his
father may be admitted in the hospital for regulated medical treatment and proper management of
diet. It was absolutely made clear to Mr. A and his other relations who had accompanied the
deceased that the disease was of such a nature and had attained such gravity, that peace and
solace could only be got at home. But the complainant Mr. A got the deceased admitted as an inpatient. Nevertheless, the patient was treated with utmost care and caution and given all the
required medical assistance by the doctors and para-medical staff. Every conceivable effort was
made by all the attending staff comprising of doctors and nurses and other Paramedics to give
appropriate medical treatment.
Nevertheless, Mr. A, the complainant filed a case against the doctors and Hospital for negligence
and claiming Rs. 10 lakhs as damages for the death of his father, Mr. X. On 22.2.2011 at about 1
p.m., the deceased Mr. X felt difficulty in breathing. The complainant's cousin who was present
in the room contacted the duty nurse, who in her turn called some doctor to attend to the patient.
No doctor turned up for about 20 to 25 minutes. Then, Dr. M. S. and Dr. P. S. came to the room
of the patient. An oxygen cylinder was brought and connected to the mouth of the patient but the
breathing problem increased further. The patient tried to get up but the medical staff asked him to
remain in the bed. The oxygen cylinder was found to be empty. There was no other gas cylinder
available in the room. The cousin went to the adjoining room and brought a gas cylinder.
However, there was no arrangement to make the gas cylinder functional and in-between; 5 to 7
minutes were wasted. By this time, another doctor came and declared that the patient was dead.
In trial before the lower court for negligence, the hospital pleaded that they cannot be held liable
because the patient was in his last stage and had been informed of the rare chances of his
survival. Even if all efforts were made, it was impossible that he could have lived. The doctors
adduced evidence with regard to the critical condition of the patient and that they had exhibited
the extent of care required of them. They, in turn, stated that maintaining the equipment,
apparatus etc. was the responsibility of the hospital, for which they could not be held liable.
On the basis of arguments advanced and evidence adduced, the court held them not liable for any
negligence. In appeal, the High Court upheld the judgment of the lower court. Finally the matter
is before the Supreme Court.